By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga has accused Governor Johnson Sakaja of using county askaris to frustrate her businesses.
Omanga on Friday, April 12, 2024, claimed the county boss was behind the irregular closure of her business in the city.
He claimed despite having all the necessary documentation and licences, the county enforcement officers went ahead to close it down.
Omanga has now linked the latest development to her questions about the utilization of the finances by the county government of Nairobi.
She has been among the city politicians who have demanded that Sakaja account for the billions the county receives from the national government and local revenue collection.
“Gov Sakaja has sent county askaris to close down my businesses in Nairobi despite my businesses operating with all the requisite licences,” Omanga posted on her X handle.
“This illegal & unjustified action follows my comment on the Auditor General’s report on Nairobi County, which appears to have infuriated him,” she added.
Details of the business that was closed down remain scanty.
The former Senator has several business interests within the city.
There have been audit questions over the use of money within the Nairobi City county and Omanga came out to demand for answers from Governor Sakaja earlier this week.
“I’m utterly disgusted by the wanton looting & pilfering of Nairobi County finances through exorbitant legal fees paid to lawyers as contained in the latest Auditor-General’s report. We were told, “Let’s Make Nairobi Work”! Is this the way to do it? Nairobi deserves better!!!,” she said in a post dated April 9, 2024.
But despite what she describes as outright intimidation, Omanga who President William Ruto nominated the Interior Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) said she will not be cowed.
“I reject this bullying and political intimidation in the strongest terms possible and ask Sakaja to keep off my businesses. I remain steadfast and unbowed and affirm that I’ll not be silenced by such cowardly acts,” she said.
The Senate’s Public Accounts Committee had invited Sakaja to appear before it to answer the said audit queries.
He however failed to show up, arguing that he was out of the country.
His snub of the Senate summons attracted criticisms from among others Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
But the county boss came out to insist that he has nothing to hide over the said audit queries.
“I have no reasons not to answer to respond to any questions raised on Mradi or FY 20-22 audits. Sensationalizing a rescheduling and making the Senate appear as if it acts in vain is what belittles the house,” Sakaja said.
